Overview
● Atherosclerosis, hardening and subsequent narrowing of the arteries
● Cardiomyopathy, which is weakening or hardening of the heart muscles
● Coronary artery disease, where there is buildup of materials in the heart arteries, that can cause their narrowing and in turn lead to a heart attack
● Heart Infections by bacteria, viruses and other pathogens
● Heart Defects and other irregularities present since birth
The symptoms vary according to the condition affecting the heart. However, the common symptoms include chest pain, chest tightness, pressure or discomfort (known as angina), breathlessness, heart palpitations and pain, numbness or coldness in the arms, legs, neck, jaw, abdomen or back.
Heart disease treatment centers around three main categories:
● Lifestyles changes: A healthy lifestyle is the mainstay of heart disease treatment. It involves diet changes, regular exercises, quitting tobacco and reduction in alcohol consumption. A low sodium and low fat diet, rich in fruits and vegetables is recommended.
● Medication: Wide ranges of medicines are available for treatment and control. They may be used for lowering cholesterol, for preventing blood clots that may clog the arteries, for treating heart attack and heart failure and for treatment of high blood pressure. Medicines may also be prescribed to slow or stop complications.
● Surgical intervention: In some cases, an invasive or surgical procedure may be required to treat the condition. Common surgical procedures include angioplasty, which involves ballooning of narrowed arteries; bypass heart surgery, in which blood flow is reestablished to blocked parts of the heart; pacemakers to regulate heart beat and surgeries to repair or replace defective heart valves.
Although heart disease can affect people of any age group, they are most common in the elderly. It is the number one cause of hospital visits and stays in the elderly.
Aging people who fall in the high-risk group for heart diseases, have any previous history of heart problems or are currently undergoing heart disease treatment require special care and attention.
It is advisable to get the proper treatment to provide care for such elderly people. Emoha Elder Care’s Care Angels (Home nurses) and Care Partners (attendants) are specially trained and equipped with the medical knowledge to deal with the needs of such patients.
What to do next
If your parent has a heart condition, or a family history of one, a few routines matter more than any single treatment. Use this list as a starting point and adjust it with the treating cardiologist.
- Keep a medicine list with names, doses and times, and carry a copy; see setting up a weekly medicine box.
- Check blood pressure and pulse at home at the same time each day and write the numbers down; see how to measure blood pressure at home.
- Weigh your parent each morning if they have heart failure, and report a quick gain to the doctor; see daily weights in heart failure.
- Cut back on salt and fried food, and eat more vegetables, fruit, pulses and whole grains; see nutrition for heart health after 60.
- Walk every day at an easy pace, unless the cardiologist has said otherwise.
- Keep a pendant or phone within reach, and put the emergency number 112 on the wall; see panic pendants.
Warning signs that need help at once
Call an ambulance (112) for chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, sudden breathlessness, a cold sweat, fainting, or a sudden weakness on one side of the body. Do not drive the patient yourself if an ambulance can come. After the emergency, see after a heart attack: recovery at home and heart failure at home.
Questions to ask the cardiologist
- What exactly is the diagnosis, and how serious is it today?
- Which symptoms mean we should call you, and which mean go to the emergency room?
- Which medicines must never be missed, and what should we do if a dose is missed?
- Are there foods, drinks or painkillers my parent should avoid with these medicines?
- How much exercise is safe, and when should we have the next review?
When to ask a professional
Heart disease is managed by a doctor, and changes in medicines should only be made by the cardiologist. A nurse can help with monitoring at home, and a dietician can adapt meals to Indian food habits. Our care advisors can arrange these visits and equipment.
Equipment mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Is heart disease common in older adults?
Yes. The risk rises with age, and high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and inactivity add to it.
Can lifestyle changes really help once there is a diagnosis?
They help a great deal alongside medicines: a low-salt, low-fat diet, regular walking and stopping tobacco all lower the risk of further problems.
Which home devices are useful?
A validated upper-arm blood pressure monitor, a pulse oximeter if the doctor suggests it, and an emergency pendant or phone for quick help.
What should we keep ready for an emergency?
A current medicine list, past reports, the cardiologist's number, a bag with ID and insurance papers, and a plan for who will go to hospital; see [emergency contact card and medical summary](/library/emergency-contact-card-and-medical-summary).
Sources and further reading
- World Health Organization, Cardiovascular diseases fact sheet
- Indian Council of Medical Research and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, material on cardiovascular disease prevention
- NHS (UK), guidance on heart attack and heart failure
Tags: heart diseasecardiovascular careanginaarrhythmiaConditions and devicesDigital blood pressure monitor (upper arm)Fingertip pulse oximeterEmergency pendantHealth monitoring devicesSafety and alert devices
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Speak to your doctor before changing your exercise, diet or medicines.
